Parts for your 1997 Nissan Pulsar-Centre bearing

1997 Nissan Pulsar centre-bearing — what’s actually fitted

Short answer: a traditional tailshaft centre-bearing isn’t used on the 1997 Nissan Pulsar (N15) because it’s a front‑wheel drive hatch/sedan with no rear propeller shaft. That’s confirmed in the Nissan N15 Pulsar/Almera Factory Service Manual (Front Axle/Driveshaft sections list no propeller shaft or centre support bearing assembly), the Nissan FAST parts catalogue for N15 (no propeller shaft group, RH driveshaft support bearing listed where applicable), and general repair guides such as the Haynes Almera/Pulsar 1995–2000 and Gregory’s Pulsar N14/N15 manuals, which describe a FWD transaxle with front driveshafts only.

Why it isn’t used: a centre-bearing (also called a centre support bearing) lives in the middle of a two‑piece tailshaft on rear‑wheel drive or 4WD vehicles to hold the spinning shaft steady. The N15 Pulsar drives the front wheels via a transverse transaxle and two front driveshafts, so there’s no long tailshaft running down the car that would need a centre support. Easy as.

What the Pulsar does have on many models is a right‑hand (passenger side) intermediate driveshaft with a support bearing bolted to the block/subframe. Some people casually call that a “centre bearing”, but it’s a different part with a different job: it supports the longer RH front driveshaft, helping reduce torque steer and vibration. If someone’s chasing a “centre-bearing” for a 1997 Pulsar, odds are they actually mean this RH driveshaft support bearing or, more commonly, the CV joints.

If there’s a droning or rumble that changes with throttle rather than with cornering, the RH driveshaft support bearing could be worth a look. Clicking on turns is more CV joint territory. Typical FWD vibration at highway speeds can also be plain old tyre balance, out‑of‑round tyres, or tired engine/gearbox mounts.

• No centre-bearing to service on the tailshaft — there isn’t one.
• During routine servicing, inspect: CV boots for splits/grease, play in wheel bearings, engine/gearbox mounts, and (if fitted) the RH driveshaft support bearing for free play or roughness.
• Replacing the RH support bearing (if worn) involves removing the RH shaft/intermediate shaft and its bracket, press the bearing off/on and torque brackets to spec per the N15 manual. No wheel alignment is normally required if nothing in the suspension geometry is disturbed.

Bottom line for a 1997 Pulsar owner: don’t stress about a tailshaft centre-bearing — it’s not a thing on this car. If the search is about front‑end vibration or a whirring noise, have a mechanic check the front driveline, especially the RH intermediate shaft bearing where fitted, and the usual CV and tyre suspects.

FAQ: Does a 1997 Nissan Pulsar have a centre support bearing?

No. Because it’s front‑wheel drive, there’s no two‑piece tailshaft and therefore no tailshaft centre support bearing. Some N15s do run a right‑hand intermediate driveshaft support bearing, which is a different part mounted near the engine to support the longer RH shaft.

FAQ: What causes driveline vibration in a 1997 Pulsar if there’s no centre-bearing?

Most vibration comes from tyres/wheels (balance, flat‑spots, out‑of‑round), worn engine/gearbox mounts, CV joints, or, on cars with it, the RH driveshaft support bearing. A quick road test that compares steady cruise vs on‑throttle can help point to the support bearing (load‑sensitive droning) versus tyres (speed‑dependent, same on or off throttle).

FAQ: How can someone tell if the RH driveshaft support bearing is worn?

Listen for a droning or grinding that rises with road speed and often changes when accelerating vs coasting. On a hoist, with the shaft removed, any roughness when spinning by hand or noticeable radial play at the bearing is a giveaway. Replace the bearing and re‑torque the bracket fasteners to the N15 service manual specs.